Albertson’s LLC to acquire United Supermarkets

BOISE, Idaho — Albertson’s LLC announced today that it intends to acquire Lubbock, Texas-based United Supermarkets, which operates 50 retail stores under the United Supermarkets, Market Street and Amigos banners.

In addition, its United Express brand has seven convenience stores and 26 fuel centers. United operates two divisions: RC Taylor, which distributes tobacco, candy and general merchandise, and Praters, which manufactures prepared foods, including meats, side dishes and fresh tortillas. It also has a subsidiary, Llano Logistics, which operates two distribution centers in Lubbock and Roanoke, Texas.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to be complete by the end of October, subject to customary government approvals.

Upon completion of the transaction, United will operate as a new business unit under Albertson’s LLC’s company structure. Robert Taylor, current CEO, will continue to lead United in his new capacity of president, reporting directly to Bob Miller, CEO of Albertson’s LLC.

“United has built an exemplary operation in Texas, complementary to our own go-to-market strategy in many respects,” Miller explained. “The family and leadership team have done a tremendous job in establishing and perpetuating a remarkable service culture and commitment to fresh, quality foods throughout their stores, even as they’ve grown. They’ve also developed strong community programs that have engaged team members and given back tremendously to their Texas communities, just as our Albertsons stores do every day. Our team feels there is an exceptional opportunity to invest in and grow their brands.”

The chain, which had been family-owned since 1916, will continue to operate much as it does today following the acquisition. United will continue to make decisions locally, similar to the other operating divisions in Albertson’s LLC.

“United has an entrepreneurial spirit, just like Albertsons,” Miller continued. “We’ve learned over the last seven years that our decentralized operating strategy empowers local management to build stronger brands across diverse market areas. United has operated much the same way in their acquisitions of R.C. Taylor and Praters in 2007 and 2009, respectively. It’s a great fit between two great companies. United runs a fantastic operation, and will maintain its own unique identity.”

Albertson’s LLC currently operates 76 stores in Texas, the majority of which are in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and has just more than 600 stores company-wide. After the acquisition is complete, Albertson’s LLC will operate approximately 650 stores and 11 distribution centers in 16 states.

NEW YORK — The CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation has launched a new website and customer relationship management software program, the group said Monday.

The foundation — which is affiliated with CancerCare, a provider of free, professional emotional and financial support services for people affected by cancer — said that along with the implementation of the software, DiseaseTrak, it could provide same-day determination and conditional approval and allow for a higher standard of care for cancer patients by allowing faster access to co-payment assistance.

"This tool will drastically improve patient access to treatment," director Michele McCourt said. "The process is easy, fast and seamless. You never have to wait because you will always know the same day whether you’re approved."

Patients also will have real-time knowledge of their status, eliminating the usual wait and uncertainty, the group said. Patients and healthcare providers will experience an enhanced level of customer service because the site closely monitors each individual’s unique treatment regimen, dispensing history and medication usage. The website provides reminder tools and an interactive calendar to assist patients in managing their care and allows for tracking of grants and payments.

Study finds e-cigarettes comparable to patches in smoking cessation

NEW YORK — E-cigarettes may be as effective as nicotine patches in helping smokers quit, according to a new study.

Researchers in Auckland, New Zealand, selected 657 smokers who were attempting to quit, dividing them into one group of 289 who received e-cigarettes, 295 who received nicotine patches and 73 who received placebo e-cigarettes without nicotine. The study was published online Monday in British medical journal The Lancet.

After six months, the researchers found, 7.3% of smokers in the e-cigarette group had not smoked cigarettes, compared with 5.8% who used patches and 4.1% who used placebo e-cigarettes.

Still, the researchers cautioned that overall, abstinence from tobacco was lower than anticipated, giving insufficient cause to claim that e-cigarettes are superior to patches or placebo e-cigarettes, but the researchers did conclude that they were "modestly effective" and seemed comparable to nicotine patches.

"Uncertainty exists about the place of e-cigarettes in tobacco control, and more research is urgently needed to clearly establish their overall benefits and harms at both individual and population levels," the researchers wrote.

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